VETERANS

VETERANS
AMVETS elect Brown
John P. Brown III, known as JP, of Boardman was elected AMVETS National 2nd vice commander at the AMVETS National Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
In his new office, Brown is responsible for AMVETS programs, including Freedoms Foundation -- a program for America's youth to promote patriotism; VAVS (Veterans Administration Volunteer Services); scholarship programs; and promoting community service by local AMVETS posts throughout the nation.
Brown, a former AMVETS Department of Ohio Commander, has been active in veterans' affairs on all levels, and is the host of a veterans radio program aired on several Clear Channel radio stations.
Other national AMVETS officers elected include: Commander, Ed Kemp of Iowa; 1st vice commander, Tom McGriff of Texas; and finance officer, Chad Happner of Michigan. Joe Vandengoorbergh, of Vermilion, was elected as a trustee to the AMVETS National Service Foundation.
GENERAL NEWS
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, was selected to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee's 12-member bipartisan Threat Panel. The panel will identify and categorize potential strategic threats to U.S. national security over the next 20 years. The panel met last week for the first time and focused on Latin America, Ryan said.
DEPLOYED
Many aboard ships
Area residents are deployed aboard several Navy ships in support of the War on Terrorism and other military objectives. They include:
USS Theodore Roosevelt, aircraft carrier:
Navy Airman Charles C. Sturts, whose wife, Brianna, is the daughter of Joyce and Arnold Barzak of Youngstown; Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcus A. Plevyak (Warren G. Harding High School, Warren, '03), son of Brenda and James M. Plevyak of Warren; Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack G. Pence Jr., son of Valerie J. and Jack G. Pence Sr. of Newton Falls; Petty Officer 2nd Class Collin A. Owens, son of Barbara J. and William H. Owens of New Castle, Pa.; Airman Kris A. Maylone, son of Stephanie A. and Richard A. Maylone of Warren; Chief Petty Officer William J. Brennan (Ursuline High School, '80), son of Lori and William J. Brennan of Poland.
USS Kitty Hawk, aircraft carrier:
Petty Officer 1st Class Donald C. Schrader III (Austintown-Fitch High School,'89, University of Hawaii, Honolulu), son of Vickie L. and Donald C. Schrader of Youngstown; Petty Officer 3rd Class Stewart L. McMahan, son of Carol E. McMahan of Warren.
USS Kearsarge, amphibious assault ship:
Navy Airman Christopher A. Eckley (Lawrence County (Pa). Vocational Technical High School, '02), son of Kathy Moon of Volant, Pa., and Charles R. Eckley of New Castle; Seaman John M. Bukovinsky (Boardman High School, '03), son of Kathy and Harry R. Bukovinsky of Youngstown; Petty Officer 3rd Class KuianaJ. Quinn, (Chaney High School, '01), granddaughter of Alberta L. Booker of Youngstown.
USS Donald Cook, guided missile destroyer:
Petty Officer 1st Class Tod R. Bowman (Reynolds High School, Reynolds, Pa. '81), son of William G. Bowman Sr. of Mercer, Pa.
USS Kitty Hawk, aircraft carrier:
Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawn L. Fazio (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa. '01), son of Deborah and Robert G. Pozar of Hermitage; Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason A. Falcione (Howland High School, '96), son of Jeanette M. and Dennis A. Falcione of Howland; Navy Airman Apprentice Karl D. Bowman (Salem High School, '01).
ADVANCED TRAINING
Equipment operator
Navy Constructionman Recruit Paul E. Herr, son of Terry L. Herr of Ellwood City, Pa., and Larry P. Herr of West Pittsburg, Pa., graduated from a 90-day equipment operator course at the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Detachment, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Herr is a 2004 graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City.
BASIC GRADS
Army: Pvt. Christopher J. Spencer (Cardinal Mooney High School, '05), son of Larry and Sandy Spencer of Berlin Center.
Marine Corps: Pvt. Richard J. Holland Jr. (Union Area High School, New Castle, Pa. '04).
Navy: Seaman Recruit Crystal L. Epling (Lincoln High School, Ellwood City, Pa. '04), daughter of Tracey L. Epling and Jeffrey A. Epling, both of Ellwood City; Navy Seaman Matthew S. Close (West Branch High School, Beloit '02), son of Colleen A. and Larry D. Close of Beloit.
ACADEMY NEWS
Cadet training
Two area residents attending the Air Force Academy completed basic cadet training and earned the rank of cadet 4th class. They are: Cadet Andrew J. Small (Boardman High School, '05), son of William and Bonnie Small of Boardman; Cadet William C. McCormick (Grove City, Pa., Senior High School, '05), son of Charles and Cora McCormick of Maple St., Grove City, Pa.
Summer seminar
Gregory A. Watson, son of Brenda L.and David A. Watson of Hermitage, Pa., recently participated in the Naval Academy's one-week summer seminar program in Annapolis, Md. Watson attends Mercer Area High School.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or e-mailed to alcorn@vindy.com.